Placerville/El Dorado County Museum

(10 miles/20 minutes)
Placerville was originally known as Hangtown, likely not an inviting name for many of the early gold miners.

El Dorado County Museum is located south of Placerville's main downtown at the County Fairgrounds. While gold may be the main theme of most museums in the Mother Lode, the exhibits here go far beyond. Much of the area's rich history is touched on here-the Pony Express, logging, "Snowshoe" Thompson who carried mail across the winter Sierra wearing his 10-foot-long skis, and there's even a wheelbarrow. Not any wheelbarrow, but one built here by John Studebaker who sold them for $10 each. That first success led to his wagon company, which led to his automobile company. There is much more to see, from early home furnishings and a general store to mining equipment.www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/museum